Hipkiss gets England nod

20 May 2008 12:46pm

By

Dan Hipkiss

Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss has been called into the England squad for next month's New Zealand tour.

Hipkiss replaces fly-half Danny Cipriani, who faces six months on the sidelines after suffering a fracture dislocation of his right ankle during Wasps' Guinness Premiership play-off victory over Bath on Sunday.

England manager Martin Johnson has opted not to fill the tour vacancy with another stand-off.

Charlie Hodgson, Olly Barkley and Toby Flood, who were named in the 32-man squad last week, are all candidates for that role in the first Test against New Zealand on June 14.

Hipkiss, though, has leapt into contention despite originally failing to make either the senior group or the England Saxons squad for their Barclays Churchill Cup campaign in the USA and Canada.

Johnson could have promoted the likes of Gloucester fly-half Ryan Lamb, his club colleague Anthony Allen or Wasps' Dominic Waldouck from Saxons duty, but he has opted for Hipkiss.

The 25-year-old has won six caps, including four substitute appearances during England's 2007 World Cup campaign.

He was used off the bench in vital pool stage victories over Samoa and Tonga, then replaced Josh Lewsey during the semi-final win against host nation France before going on for Jason Robinson in the final, when England lost 15-6 to South Africa.

Johnson said: "Rob Andrew (England New Zealand tour manager), the coaches and I discussed suitable candidates for the tour yesterday.

"We all agreed there was good cover at fly-half with Charlie Hodgson, Olly Barkley and Toby Flood, and so we decided to go with Dan.

"He gives us further options at centre and he has been playing well for Leicester Tigers in recent weeks. He deserves his chance."

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